Khoa Bui - The Online Entrepreneur

Sometimes when you work so hard you forget to look after yourself. The previous few days, I’ve been on 4 hours sleep getting client work finished before I go away this Sunday. There have been existing website updates, launching brand new web sites, sending off newsletters, repackaging projects and fine tuning.


What I realised is that working hard is good for the soul but don’t let it interfere with your health, relationships and with your clients. If you’re not focused 100%, your productivity drops and error levels begin to increase and you start getting grumpy!


As Steven Covey once said… look after the golden goose that lays the golden eggs.


Get some sleep buddy!

I’m now writing this blog entry at another Dome Cafe close to my house. I decided to get out of the house and into my nearest cafe to do some planning and minor work this morning.

I arrived here at around 8:00am and there were a few customers here already. One of the staff that was at the counter waited for me to order. As I approached her, she had a had a tired look on her face (as anyone would) and she said with a mono tone voice “What would you like to order today?” Before I answered, I asked her sincerely “How are you?” and her face lit up and she started telling me about how she wished she was at home, she shouldn’t be at work today on a Sunday morning and that she just wasn’t motivated today. It seemed that she was just bored and needed someone to talk to. After speaking with her for a few minutes, I ordered my cappuccino asked for the  wireless  internet password and  started working.

Here at Dome cafe, they give you 45 minutes free wireless internet, after that, you have to pay for any additional hours. When she bought out my coffee and breakfast, I realised that she kindly upgraded it to a large for free. Not only that, when my wireless Internet expired, she walked out and gave me another 45 minutes for free.

What I learnt today here was that when you enter a restaurant, cafe, shop…, respect the staff and remember that they also have a story to tell, perhaps they are in the middle of a relationship breakdown, perhaps they are just bored and tired, perhaps they wish they were somewhere else. They are also human too. Whatever the case may be, before you place your order, just ask them “How are you?”. Steven Covey from the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” calls this “giving people Psychological Air” and I completely agree with that.

People need that Psychological Air and someone to listen to them, remember everyone is carrying a heavy load.

Today was an interesting day.


It’s Saturday and it’s one week to go before I pack my bags and start my Around the World holiday. Lately I’ve been so busy finishing off client work that I honestly haven’t had much time planning what I was going to pack and prepare.


Anyway, today I had some free time so I wrote down on a scrap piece of paper what I definately needed to buy.

1. New Back Pack that’s light, easy to carry and durable. (My last trip to China, I bought a huge back pack but the “metal” plate that held the pack together snapped)
2. New Digital Camera. (I’m Asian…)

I then headed off to the city and began my shopping for the back pack and digital camera.


First stop was Mountain Designs which is a place where they sell various camping, hiking and travelling gear. There was great backpack that caught my attention. After trying it out a few times, checking the straps, material etc and speaking with the friendly assistant, I decided to purchase the back pack (there’re great at sales arn’t they?)


As he started to process the goods, I started to think about whether I should ask for a discount. Of course usually when I do this, many thoughts occur - “Are you a cheap skate?, He won’t accept it, it’s a big business, he might get offended, it’s rude, just pay it” Anyway, being stubborn as I am and always challenging negative thoughts, I said to the man “So, it’s $220 right? Let’s make it $200″ I paused and waited. The man smiled and said “sure!”. I handed over the money and off I went with my new back pack saving myself $20.


As I was shopping around for a new digital camera, I found one for sale at a popular store for $380. It was the Cannon IXUS 85I5 10 megapixel. I thought that was pretty reasonable and decided I was going to purchase it. Anyway, before I did that, I decided to quickly pop by the store next door to see if they had any better deals (who knows) and they did. They were selling the same camera for $350. So I saved another $30 by walking a few meters.


I spoke to the assistant about puchasing the camera. After trying it out and speaking with the assistant I once again tried negotiating the price using the same line I did at that other store. “So, it’s $350 right? Let’s make it $300 buddy” The guy said “no worries, come over to the counter and I’ll get you to sign a document that gives you a further 10% discount when you are at the airport” Not only I just saved another $50, I also gained another 10% of the total price to claim when I arrive at the airport which was a bonus!


Today I realised that by asking a simple line and having the attitude of “you’re going to buy the damn thing anyway so why not give it a shot” I managed to save over $130 dollars which all it took was a few seconds to voice my offer, if I never did, I would be lower in cash.


So you might be thinking, “whats the big deal anyway, it’s only $130″ yes it’s true. However it’s not the amount that you should focus on, it’s the techinque and deal you can apply it to. For example, the start of this year, I successfully purchased a house and used the same negotiating techniques to form a deal on my house. I managed to save over $32,000 by simply asking for a better offer and negotiating a win/win situation.


So if you thinking of purchasing that nice dress you always wanted, why don’t you try asking them a better deal. The only thing that is holding you back is your mind. Getting a better deal by simply voicing a few words can make the difference by either not having enough cash to pay some bills and struggling or having a champagne with friends while wearing your favourite dress that you bought on sale and knocked off a further 30%.


Try it.

This afternoon, I was driving home from another client meeting and a shocking incident occured. I was on the right hand lane, behind a car that was waiting to turn right. As the car waited and I waited also, another incoming car from the other side of the road was turning onto my lane but waited in the middle of the road.

Usually, when you do this, you wait until you can see if any cars are incoming before you cross to the other side, unfortunately this didn’t happen. The car just took off without looking. I remember sitting there and watching this other car smash right into this car. Both cars were smashed and one of the car radiators started ejecting fluid and smoke started expelling from the crashed engine.

I quickly pulled over and ran over to see if I could help anyone and provide any assistance. Fortunately, no one was killed and both car owners were still breathing.

If there was anything I learnt today, it was this, drive carefully!

I just wanted to say a big thanks to all my clients that I have worked with. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be sitting here with a big smile on my face as I start to prepare my around the world holiday next week. I just received an email from a new client with a recommendation from an existing client. He said he was absolutely impressed with my services and that you can’t go wrong working with Khoa Bui. I also got off the phone with another client and she is really happy with the work I have done for her over the past year and that she feels really comfortable working with me. Finally, I met with another client yesterday and we had a great conversation over some red wine and a few laughs.

I’m not saying this to brag or anything but what I want to get across to everyone who is reading this and who have their own client base is that money should not be the only motivation for you to do business. It’s the clients who you work with, the clients who give you great feedback and confidence in your skills. It’s the happy clients who remind you that you’re great at what you do. When you continue to do the things you love to do and you’re great at it, the money will follow. That’s what I’ve learnt. Look after your clients and they will look after you.